Birth rates in Europe continue to decline: which countries have the highest and lowest levels

Birth rates in Europe are reaching new historic lows, with the total fertility rate in the European Union falling to 1.34 children per woman in 2024 – the lowest level in more than six decades. For comparison, in 1964 the figure was 2.62, meaning that the birth rate in the EU has decreased by almost half, Euronews reports.

The total fertility rate – the indicator that measures the average number of live births per woman – varies significantly between European countries. Within the EU in 2024, it ranges from 1.01 in Malta to 1.72 in Bulgaria.

In a broader European context, the highest levels are observed in Montenegro (1.75), Bulgaria (1.72), Georgia (1.69), Albania, and Serbia (1.64 each). Among the major European economies, France maintains the highest birth rate at approximately 1.61 children per woman, followed by the United Kingdom (1.56). In Germany, the figure is 1.36, slightly above the EU average.

At the other end of the ranking are the countries of Southern Europe. Spain reports one of the lowest levels at 1.10, followed by Italy (1.18). In Northern Europe, indicators are also declining, with Iceland (1.56) having the highest birth rate in the region, ahead of Denmark (1.47), Norway (1.45), and Sweden (1.43), while Finland (1.25) remains below the EU average.

According to experts, the decline in birth rates is part of a broader demographic trend. According to World Health Organization data, access to education and contraception, as well as socio-economic changes, are key factors in the reduction of birth rates.

The trend is not limited to Europe alone. The number of countries worldwide with birth rates below the population replacement level (2.1 children per woman) is expected to increase significantly – from about half of all countries in 2018 to almost all by the end of the century.

For the period 2014–2024, the birth rate in the EU decreased from 1.54 to 1.34 children per woman. The largest decline was registered in Turkey, where the indicator fell from 2.17 to 1.48, or by approximately 32%.

Significant decreases were also reported in Finland and Lithuania (-0.46), Sweden (-0.45), Ireland (-0.42), Latvia (-0.41), France (-0.39), as well as in Iceland and Malta (-0.37).

Experts point to several interconnected reasons for this trend. Among them are the rising costs of raising children, difficulties in balancing career and parenthood, high housing costs, and economic uncertainty.

An additional influence is the postponement of the first child to a later age, which temporarily lowers birth rate indicators.

Research also shows that in recent years, the decrease in first births has been the primary factor in the overall decline. At the same time, the idea of a child-free life is becoming more widespread in some societies, although many people subsequently have fewer children than they originally planned.

Demographers note that while a number of countries are introducing policies to encourage birth rates – such as tax breaks, financial incentives, subsidized childcare, and longer parental leave – the evidence of their long-term impact on birth rates remains ambiguous.